Large screen gaming system and facility therefor

ABSTRACT

A system and facility for video games with a large number of user stations and a single screen upon which the video game images are displayed visible from each of the user stations. The system allows for simultaneous use by a large number of users who share the experience of playing the game and their combined reactions together. The system is particularly suited for installation in a motion picture theatre or similar entertainment facility.

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/322,914 filed Jun. 1,1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,982.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to interactive, computer controlled videogames, and to entertainment facilities that accommodate large audiences,such as motion picture theatres.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although modern public entertainment facilities usually representsubstantial capital investments, they are often empty much of the time.For example, at motion picture theatres, it is common to have idleperiods between the conclusion of one screening and the start of thenext screening. In fact, at many theatres, no screenings at all arescheduled during large portions of the day.

While operators of motion picture theatres and theatre complexes haveincreasingly been providing other diversions for their audiences in acommon area separate from the screening rooms, such as on siterestaurants, the present inventors have recognized that it would bedesirable to utilize the screening rooms themselves and similarentertainment facilities more efficiently, and particularly to use themin a manner that provides an alternate form of entertainment. Thepresent inventors have also recognized moreover that interactive,computer controlled video games represent a form of alternateentertainment that has a significant revenue potential at a motionpicture theatre or similar entertainment facility.

The seats of a motion picture theatre or similar entertainment facilitycould be equipped with individual user stations, each having its owngames and its own video screen, such as the arrays of user stations thatare found in conventional video game arcades. However, it is an objectof the present inventors to provide a unique new scenario for playingvideo games in such facilities in which the enjoyment of the game isheightened by a large screen, and is enriched by sharing the collectivereactions of a large number of other concurrent users, playing a singleinteractive game.

Existing popular video games include those where only a single user canplay at a time, and others that allow two or several assembled users toplay simultaneously. Neither of these types of games can be playedconcurrently by a large number of multiple users.

Recently, a third variety of video game has appeared which allows alarge number of multiple users to play concurrently, but from remoteuser stations that are linked by means of a local area network or theInternet. The users are not all assembled together so there is noopportunity to share the experience of each other's reactions.

Other video game systems and facilities have also been proposed thatpermit play by multiple users.

Crudgington, Jr. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,477,069), for example, discloses afuturistic styled theatre which contains a plurality of game consoles,one for each player. All players participate in the same performancewhich is controlled by a master computer but each player has his ownmonitor to view the game.

Tashiro et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,438) discloses a system where anumber of players are arranged in a circle at individual consoles. Theplayers can simultaneously play a game using a common screen (110) whichsurrounds the players. The apparatus contains a wide variety ofmechanical systems to move the seats used by the players. As best shownin FIG. 4, and described at column 4, line 8, each player has a limitedrange of the screen over which he may play.

Marshall et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,464) discloses a system for lawenforcement or military weapons training. Multiple trainees (who are onfoot and mobile) interact with a simulated training exercise displayedon a single large video screen. The trainees utilize firearms to shootan infrared beam at opponents on the screen. The infrared beams aredetected by the computer system running the simulation and the systemwill fire back an infrared beam in the direction of the originatingshot.

Trainees wear detectors that indicate if they have been hit.

Kagan et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,618,045) discloses a system of multiplehand held playing devices that communicate over a wireless LAN to allowmultiple players to play the same game. The individual playing devicesmay also communicate to a large display to show the game scenario.

Dahl (U.S. Pat. No. 5,835,715) discloses a theatre based system forallowing users to make choices as to what content they wish to see onthe main screen, sub-screens of the main theatre screen, or a screen intheir individual seat computer. The theatre also incorporates a seriesof robots in front of the screen to simulate an imaginary creature toadd to the video presentation.

None of the proposals known to the inventors discloses or suggests agaming system for use in a motion picture theatre or similarentertainment facility in which a large number of simultaneous multipleusers can share the same game experience together, heightened andenriched by also sharing in the reactions of the total group.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provideda gaming system which includes a computer, game software, a plurality ofuser stations, a projector, and a projection screen. The game softwareis executed by the computer and can permit numerous multiple users toparticipate in a single game, up to substantially an entire audience ofa motion picture theatre or other entertainment facility. The gamesoftware for a large facility can permit up to hundreds of multipleusers to participate in the game. For a small facility the game softwareneed only be able to permit up to a few dozen users to participate. Theuser stations each has communication means, and also has interface meansfor receiving user input transmitted from the user stations to thecomputer via the communication means. The projector is connected to thecomputer, and the computer aggregates the user input to create videoimages for display by the projector. These video images are displayed bythe projector on the projection screen such that they are fully visiblefrom each of the user stations.

The present invention can thus provide for video game control stationsat the seats of a motion picture theatre or similar entertainmentfacility such that the members of a large or very large audience mayfrom their seats participate in a multiple user video game which isdisplayed on a large screen visible to all. This game playing scenariois unique in that it allows for a large number of simultaneous multipleusers to share the same game experience together, and it allows them toshare the reactions of each other as the game is played.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is providedan entertainment facility, including an enclosure having a plurality ofseats to accommodate an audience of a plurality of user stations ascreen, the total area of the screen visible from each of the userstations; a projection system for projecting images on the screen; and acomputer connected to each of the user stations and the projectionsystem, the computer controlling the images projected on the screen, thecomputer receiving user input for display on the screen from the userstations.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method for playing a game in an entertainment facility, the methodhaving the steps of: providing a user station at each seat in thetheatre; providing a user interface to receive user input from each ofthe user stations; integrating the images from the game with the userinput; and projecting the results of the integrating on a single screen,the results being visible from each of the user stations.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method for operating a commercial motion picture theater comprisingthe steps of alternately: displaying a motion picture after admittingmembers of the public to view it upon payment of an admission fee; andoperating computer game software that displays images on a screen in thetheater, created by a computer that responds to player input from aplurality of user stations located at the seats of the theater.Preferably, the method includes providing public access to user stationsat a plurality of seats in the theater, accepting and validatingidentification from users at the user stations to allow them to engageas players in computer game play, initiating the game play when motionpictures are not being displayed, accepting input provided by theplayers via the user stations aggregating the input to create gameimages, displaying the game images, and terminating the game andsubsequently displaying a motion picture. Most preferably, the methodalso includes the step of debiting the user identification in an amountcharged as payment to engage in the computer game, for example by meansof a smart card, credit card or debit card.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an entertainment facility, comprising a theater having aprojection screen and a plurality of seats arranged in rows facing thescreen, a projector for showing motion pictures on the screen, acomputer, game software executed by the computer, a plurality of userstations, each having communication means and also interface means forreceiving user input, and means connected to a computer for displayingvideo images created by the computer in response to the user input.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the components of themultiple user gaming system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the components of the gameserver;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the components of a gamecontroller;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the components of thepurchasing/credit system; and

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the control logic for gamecontrollers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring first to FIG. 1, a schematic diagram illustrating a gamingsystem according to the present invention as applied to a theatreenvironment, the system is shown generally as 10.

In the preferred embodiment the gaming system is installed in a movietheatre having a projector for screening motion pictures. The system 10comprises a game server 12, a plurality of game controllers 16, atheatre projection system 20, a purchasing/credit system 22, and acontrol console 24. Game server 12 is a computer system capable ofallowing a plurality of users to play a video game. A plurality of gamecontrollers 16 are connected to game server 12 by game controllercommunication links 14. The input from the game controllers 16, providedby links 14 is processed by game server 12. Game server 12 renders theinput from each game controller 14 and creates updated game images whichare then passed to theatre projection system 20 via theatre projectorcommunication link 18. Theatre projection system 20 displays the inputfrom game server 12 on a theatre screen (not shown). Images passed vialink 18 are of SVGA quality or better thus allowing theatre projectionsystem 20 to project true colour graphics onto the entire theatrescreen. Theatre projection system 20 may be mounted on the ceiling ofthe theatre, or contained within the projection booth. Theatreprojection system 20 works in conjunction with a conventional movieprojector (not shown) so that images may be displayed on the theatrescreen by the conventional movie projector, the projection system 20 orboth projectors simultaneously.

Purchasing/credit system shown generally as 22 is a control system forrecording and monitoring the account status of individuals that play agame. More specifically, it tracks which users have paid to play a gameand further allows for credits to be awarded to the accounts of gamewinners.

Control console 24 provides an interface to the game server 12 throughwhich a system administrator may control game flow including startingand re-starting games. Control console 24 also allows the systemadministrator to perform administrative tasks such as maintenance,backup, game installation and game removal.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the components of the game server 12 areillustrated in a schematic diagram. Game server 12 is a computer havingan ISA backplane bus 30, with a plurality of bus slots 32. The slots 32of the bus 30 are populated with high density serial cards 34, singleboard CPUs 36, video controller 38, and RAID Controllers 42. Serialcards 34 support the game controller communications links 14 connectinggame server 12 to game controllers 16. Links 14 in the preferredembodiment are serial connections capable of 115,000 BAUD communicationbut may be any other form of communication such as infrared or ethernetthat provide the necessary bandwidth required by game server 12. Singleboard CPUs 36 may be of any suitable configuration including multipleprocessors with shared cache, and a large amount of RAM, on the order ofone gigabyte or greater. Video controller 38 uses system RAM and has a3D daughterboard for image rendering. Video controller 38 is connectedto theatre projection system 20 by theatre projection control link 10.Video controllers 38 controls the images displayed on the theatre screenby theatre projection system 20. RAID controllers 42 are of the Adaptec1000 Series.

RAID controller 42 controls a plurality of SCSI drives 44 which storeinformation on the current status of the game being played as well asuser account information. RAID controls and alarms 46 monitors each ofthe SCSI drives 44 and alerts the RAID controller 42 of anyabnormalities in operation.

Game server 12 further comprises a plurality of hot-swap power supplies48 each of which may be replaced while game server 12 is running,without interrupting the function of game server 12. Server controls andalarms 50 serves to monitor and coordinate any abnormal behaviouroccurring on game server 12. CD-Rom/Floppy 52 provide a means by whichprograms or data may be copied from a CD-ROM or floppy disc to be storedon game server 12. CD-ROM/Floppy 52 may also be used to storeinformation from the game server 12. A streaming tape drive may also beused to provide alternative or additional data storage and recoverycapability.

The configuration of game server 12 allows for system scalability inthat multiple high density serial cards 34 may be added to support largenumbers of game controllers 16.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the components of game controller 16 are shownin a schematic diagram. Game controller 16 comprises: game cardreader/writer 60, user input interface 62, encryption component 64, andserial interface 66. Game controller 16 comprises the hardware andsoftware which allow the user to register for and play a game. Byinserting a game card 68 (not shown) containing sufficient credit intogame card reader/writer 60, the user may play a game. Game card 68 inthe preferred embodiment is a smart card.

Game card 68 will contain user profiling information such as a username, a specific theatre or range of theatres for which the card isvalid, and the “nickname” chosen by the user when playing the game. Ifthe game card 68 provided by the user does not have sufficient credit,the user may optionally insert money into the game controller 16 via acash box (not shown). Other means of obtaining credit may include a cardswipe device for credit cards, debit cards or the like, the verificationof which would occur over game controller communication link 14. Gamecard reader/writer 60 is not required to practice the present invention.For example, an implementation of the present invention may choose toprovide free access to the game controller 16.

The user plays the game through user input interface 62. User inputinterface 62 is a set of controls that allow the user to play a varietyof games. A joystick, trackball, and control buttons would be typicalfeatures. A headset (not shown) may also be provided to supply the userwith gaming sound effects. Additional components such as infraredpointing devices or a virtual reality interface may further enhance thegaming experience. As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art ofuser input interfaces, the user input interface 62 of the presentinvention may be enhanced to include tactile response. Such tactileresponse could extend to the theatre seats which could imparthorizontal, vertical and vibrational motions. The actions input by theuser to user input interface 62, are sent to serial interface 66, whichin turn communicates with game server 12 by way of game controllercommunication link 14.

Encryption component 64 provides encryption hardware and software toallow a user to securely transmit and receive information between gamecard reader/writer 60 by way of game controller communication link 14.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the components of the purchasing/credit systemshown generally as 22 are shown in a schematic diagram.Purchasing/credit system 22 comprises a credit link 70, a plurality ofpurchase/credit stations 72, a game card database 74, and a main frameconnection 76.

Purchasing/credit system 22 allows an individual to purchase credits forthe playing of games. Credits are purchased at one of a plurality ofstations 72 by introducing a game card 68 (not shown) to station 72.Credit may be added to a game card 68 by such means as cash payment,direct bank withdrawal or credit card transfer. Additional means forobtaining credit or points are described below. When credit is requiredfrom a credit card or direct bank payment, station 72 will connect to abank clearing house 78 by way of mainframe connection 76 to transfercredit to the game card 68. Alternatively, should direct user access toa station 72 not be available, theatre staff would handle the applyingof credit to game card 68.

All data regarding the current status of a game card 68 as well asdemographic information on the user is stored in game card database 74.Demographic information includes the given name of the user as well as a“nickname”, previous scores, handicap data, location specific data,purchase data history, winning credit amounts, and other detailsspecific to the user. During play, a winning user may obtain additionalcredits which are conveyed to station 72 by game server 12 over creditlink 70. The credits then being applied to the game card 68 of thewinning user. The number of points or credits acquired for a win willvary depending upon the game and also depending upon the skill level ofthe winner. A less skilled user will receive bonus points for defeatinga more highly skilled user. A user's game playing record may be storedon the game card 68 or potentially on the database 74, so that if a lessskilled user defeats a more skilled user, the less skilled user obtainsextra bonus points on the card.

In use, the user would enter the theatre complex and locate apurchasing/credit station 72. If the user did not have a game card 68 heor she may obtain one from the theatre staff or from the station 72, bypayment of cash, or through the use of a debit card, credit card or anyother electronically negotiable instrument. If the user has an existinggame card 68 he or she may inquire as to their balance and add credit.In the preferred embodiment game card 68 will be valid for an unlimitedperiod of time, but may alternatively be programmed to expire after afixed date. In addition, a limited amount of credit may be added to agame card 68 so that if game card 68 is lost by the user the user doesnot lose a significant amount of money.

Once seated the user would then validate his or her game card 68 at thegame controller 16 associated with his or her seat to authorize the userto play a game. Forms of validation may comprise: swiping, insertion orproximity recognition. Game controller 16 may also contain a numerickeypad which the user would utilize to enter a personal identificationnumber (PIN) in order to validate his or her game card 68 and to helpconfirm the identity of the user of game card 68.

Some games may allow the user to join immediately, others may requirethat the user wait until the next game begins. Users are placed in afirst come first out (FIFO) queue for games yet to be played.

Once the user has paid to play a game he or she may participate in thenext available game. Each game will be sufficiently short in duration toallow users to enter a new game without waiting too long. Multiple gamesmay be played before and after the screening of a motion picture.

In an alternative embodiment, the theatre may simply be used as a gameemporium, where games may be played that extend for hours. Multiplescreen cinemas may provide a plurality of games of different interests,much as they now provide for diverse motion pictures.

The present invention makes use of the existing power facilities of atheatre. The game server 12 requires a standard 110/120 or the likepower outlet and no power is required to the game controller, as powerfor data transmission is provided by the game server 12.

With regard to the types of games to be played, some of theconsiderations that must be weighed in creating a new game or in themigration of an existing game to the present invention are:

a) substantially every seat in the theatre may be equipped to playalthough there may be a maximum number of users per game that is lessthan the total number of seats in the theatre;

b) games prior and subsequent to motion picture screenings willprimarily be action/adventure games as first-person perspective orrole-playing games are too long to play out;

c) first-person perspective or role-playing games may utilize thetheatre when movies are not being shown;

d) everyone in the theatre may potentially join in a game, while thegame is being played, depending on the game, it may not be adisadvantage to join a game that has already started;

e) the game can be joined at any time, or all users must be registeredbefore the game begins;

f) in games to be played before the screening of a motion picturestarts, game duration will be short enough to permit several games to beplayed;

g) games can be common goal games where all participants are pursuingthe same objective, or they can be competitive;

h) there could potentially be two or more games ongoing by splitting thescreen to display multiple games concurrently, so that a new game startsevery minute as opposed to a longer period;

i) user handicaps may be introduced to make it more difficult for expertusers to win consistently; and

j) games may be played between multiple users from multiple venues.

Game Programming Interface (GPI)

In order to program game server 12, a Gaming Programming Interface (GPI)80 (not shown) is provided. Gaming Programming Interface 80 is a libraryof computer software functions to access and communicate with theunderlying software and hardware provided by the gaming system 10. TheGPI 80 is structured in such a way as to take advantage of theunderlying hardware, yet remain generic so that platform upgradabilitywill be facilitated.

The GPI 80 serves as a middleware layer between the game software andthe gaming system 10. This architecture of gaming system 10 allows forupgrades and expansion without affecting game developers.

Game developers that are familiar with common Operating SystemApplication Programming Interfaces (OS API's) will find the GPI 80libraries familiar. The complexities of the multi-user environment willbe hidden from the developer.

The GPI 80 provides functions that can be used by game developers toaccess the game controller 16 and game card reader/writer 60 located ateach seat in the theatre. This functionality includes retrieving datafrom the game controllers 16, sending data to the game controllers 16,and polling the game controllers 16 to determine when a new user hasentered the game. In addition, since the game card reader/writer 60 arelocated with the game controller 16, the GPI 80 also provides functionsto retrieve user data from the game card 68, remove credit/money fromthe game card 68, and add credit/money to the game card 68.

In order to allow the game developer the ability to display the videogame on the theatre projection system 20, GPI 80 functions are availablefor the play area of the projected display, as well as a commercial areaof the display. In this manner, a game is given access to a certain areaof the screen, and surrounding areas are made available for advertising.The GPI 80 will provide for a generic interface to various projectionsystems.

In the preferred embodiment game development will be based on theWindows operating system, and thus will utilize the pre-existing WindowsAPI set. A description of the functionality provided by the GPI 80follows.

Game Controllers

There will be multiple game controllers 16 connected to the gamingsystem 10, and as such, a game developer will require access eachcontroller. The following functions for game controllers 16 will beprovided as part of the GPI function set:

Function: GPI₁₃ ActivateController

Description: The function will be used to activate the controller asspecified in the parameters. Once the controller is activated, thegaming system will poll that controller for events. If the controller isinactive, then any movements at the controller will not be recorded.

Function: GPI_ActivateController

Description: The function will be used to deactivate a controller oncean individual has finished playing. This removes the controller from thepool of controllers that the gaming system polls for events.

Function: GPI_RegisterControllerEvent

Description: The function will be used to register an event peravailable controller or one event for all controllers. This event willbe signalled when a controller movement is recognized.

Function: GPI_RegisterControllerCallBackFunction

Description: This function will register a call back function suppliedby the developer that will be called when a controller event isdetected. A call back function can be supplied for each controller orfor all the controllers.

Function: GPI_GetControllerEvent

Description: This function will be used to read the next event in queuefrom the controller specified in the parameters. Each event generated bythe controller will be placed in a queue and will remain there until theapplication reads it.

Function: GPI_ControllerDisplay

Description: This function will control any lights or displays madeavailable on the individual controllers. This will be used primarily toindicate when it is time for an individual to play (a light will beactivated on the controller).

Function: GPI_GetNumOfControllers

Description: This function will return the number of availablecontrollers attached to the Gaming system.

Utilizing the above functions, a game developer may develop a gamingapplication that interfaces with the game controllers 16 of the gamingsystem 10 in a manner as illustrated by the flowchart of FIG. 5.

Card Readers

The card reader 60 permits a user to pay to play and to receive creditsupon winning. The reader 60 must be controllable so that the appropriatecredits may be added and removed. The following functions are providedby the GPI 80 to access the card reader 60.

Function: GPI_RegisterCardReaderEvent

Description: This function will be used to register an event per cardreader or one event to represent all card readers. This event will besignalled when an event is detected at a card reader (i.e. card insertedor card removed).

Function: GPI_RegisterCardReaderCallbackFunction

Description: Similar to the above function, but this function will beused to register a call back function rather than an event. This callback function will be called whenever a card reader event is detected.

Function: GPI_ReadCardInfo

Description: This function will be used to retrieve user specificinformation from the game card. This information may include the users“nickname”, the game card ID, the users handicap or skill level, etc.

Function: GPI_WriteCardInfo

Description: This function will be used to populate the user informationstored on the card. This will be used frequently to upgrade or downgradea users difficulty level as time goes on.

Function: GPI_GetCurrentPlayers

Description: This function does not directly access the card reader butis related because it will retrieve a list of all the users currentlyplaying or waiting to play. The list will include and identifier of theusers seat, the game card ID, and the users “nickname”.

Function: GPI_GetCreditInfo

Description: This function will retrieve the amount of credit currentlyavailable on a users game card.

Function: GPI_AddCredit

Description: This function will be used to add credit to a users gamecard.

Function: GPI_RemoveCredit

Description: Used to remove credit from a users game card.

Function: GPI_EjectCard

Description: Used to eject a game card from a card reader once the usersgame is over.

Database Functions

The GPI provides functions to access and create records and tables inthe game card database 74. This may be useful for game developers whowish to store various game parameters or scores in a secure area. Thedatabase 74 contains game scores, and as such has GPI 80 functions toadd a new score to the database 74, remove a score, and retrieve a listof scores. The database 74 will be accessible using standard ODBC SQLcommands.

Video Controller Functions

As mentioned previously, the gaming system 10 will permit developers toaccess the video controller via existing Windows functions. Asdevelopment progresses, the GPI will be extended to encompass the videocontroller in its API set.

Sound Controller Functions

The initial stage of the gaming system 10 will permit developers to usestandard Windows APIs to access the sound card.

The theatre sound system (not shown) is driven by a single board CPU 36of the gaming system 10, and as such, has a generic interface. The GPIwill primarily provide functionality to access the single board CPU 36for sound generation rather than recording. Functionality for recording,may also be provided.

With regard to attracting and retaining game users, the inventorsconsider the following to be potential marketing initiatives:

a) advertising in conjunction with the currently playing movies, theadvertising to indicate game titles that are playing in each theatrealong with the actual movie showing;

b) tournaments, the winner from one theatre will play a synchronizedgame against winners from other theatres while everyone in therespective local theatre may watch;

c) expert users may become know on a national level and be rewarded formaking theatre appearances;

d) a new game may be linked to new movie or theatre opening, or therelease of a game a month or so in advance of the release of the movie,may serve as a more substantial “teaser” or introduction to the movie asopposed to the traditional form of movie trailers;

e) game cards may be used to acquire credit at venues outside thetheatre, for example, they may be recognized by retailers who would addcredits for retail purchases; and

f) in addition to projecting the game, the projection system 20 cansimultaneously project advertising, advertising space on the screen maybe sold by the theatre or by a local or national agency.

Although the inventors have chosen the software implementing thepreferred embodiment of the GPI 80 of the gaming system 10 to execute onthe MicroSoft Windows Operating System, one skilled in the art willrecognize that many operating systems provide similar functionality, thedecision of the inventor to in selecting Windows was based upon theirmarket share. The invention may be implemented on any other operatingsystem.

The gaming system 10 is not intended by the inventors to be restrictedto movie theatres. Gaming system 10 may reside in any multiple usefacility such as a stadium, amphitheatre, concert hall or the like. Anyfacility, regardless of the size, that is capable of housing theequipment required for the present invention and allowing for the use ofmultiple users is intended by the inventors to be within the scope ofthe present invention. The scalability or expandability of the disclosedarchitecture, provides for such a capability.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of and arrangement of components illustratedin the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of otherembodiments, and of being practiced or carried out in various wayswithin the scope of the claims. Also it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose ofdescription and not limitation. For example, the term “video game” isintended to encompass any interactive gaming system with a visualdisplay.

We claim:
 1. A method of providing large screen, interactive computergaming in a screening room of a motion picture theater having aprojection screen on which game images can be displayed, said methodcomprising the steps of: providing public access to user stations at aplurality of seats in said motion picture theater screening room;allowing said users to engage as players in computer game play displayedon said screen; initiating said game play when said screen is not beingused to display a motion picture; accepting manual inputs provided bysaid players via said user stations; in response to said manual inputs,aggregating the user inputs to create game images; projecting thecreated game images on said screen; and terminating said game playbefore said screening room is used to display a motion picture.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said game images comprise video game images.3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of accepting andvalidating identification from said users at said user stations, beforeallowing said users to engage as players in said computer game play. 4.The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of debiting said useridentification in an amount required as payment to engage in said gameplay.
 5. A method of providing large screen, interactive computer gamingin a screening room of a motion picture theater, said method comprisingthe steps of: after projecting motion pictures in said screening room,allowing users to engage as players in computer game play displayed onthe screen of said screening room; initiating said game play when saidscreening room is not being used to display a motion picture; acceptingmanual inputs provided by said players via user stations at a pluralityof seats in said motion picture theater screening room; in response tosaid manual inputs, aggregating the user inputs to create game images;and displaying the created game images on said screen at a time when nomotion pictures are being projected thereon.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein said game images comprise video game images.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, further comprising the step of accepting and validatingidentification from said users at said user stations, before allowingsaid users to engage as players in said computer game play.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, further comprising the step of debiting said useridentification in an amount required as payment to engage in said gameplay.
 9. A method of providing interactive entertainment in a motionpicture theater screening room having a plurality of seats, comprisingthe steps of: at some times displaying a motion picture in said motionpicture theater screening room after admitting members of the public toview said motion picture; and at other times, when not displaying amotion picture, operating computer game software that displays computergame images in said motion picture screening room in response to usermanual inputs received from user stations disposed adjacent at leastsome of said seats, the images being created by a computer that respondsto player input from the user stations.